Mercy in a Manger

This Christmas eve, I want to take you a little further ahead in the story that we may have usually covered! We are going to take a look at what could possibly be the most unique baby dedication ever!

It’s going to focus on an older man— a prophet, taking an eight day old baby into his arms and saying some things that are quite remarkable— perhaps even shocking— and if you and I were Joseph and Mary, we might even just say— Thanks Pops--“Can I have my baby back now?”

Simeon is that man’s name— and it’s a great part of the story. A powerful part of the story, that many don’t really know very well. We don’t often associate Simeon with the Christmas time story— Simeon is sort of this backstage actor in the narrative… His name would be in the small fine print at the end of the movie.

There are lots of stars— of the Christmas story— Jesus, Joseph, Mary, the shepherds and angels— the wise men, the star itself is a star of the show—sheep, cows, maybe even King Herod gets more exposure than poor Simeon...

But I’m drawn to his story—I believe He captures the real spirit of Christmas, and can be an inspiration for us today! Great kings or emperors in Rome didn’t even know Jesus was born— philosophers in Greece didn’t even know he existed— Even the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem didn’t show much interest in finding out who this child was— but Simeon is a part of a very special group of people—sometimes called the “remnant”--- these who had insight and faith that God was going to do something astounding and world-changing through the Promised Messiah.

I want to share this bit of scripture with you— it’s found in Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, starting in verse 25.

(pew Bible page number?)

There are three key points I want us to examine briefly this morning— and hopefully these will be an encouragement and inspiration to you today:

Simeon is a Portrait of Faith

He makes a proclamation of God’s Faithfulness

He makes a prediction of Suffering and Sacrifice

I. A Portrait of Faith (v. 25-26)

Luke 2:25 NIV

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

Luke 2:26 NIV

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

Who is this man? Let’s describe him.

He was righteous and devout.

He does the right things— he does what God would want him to do.

He was patiently waiting.

He is waiting for the “consolation” of Israel— that word in Greek is “paraklesis” That means comfort— or encouragement— or even “to come alongside”— It’s actually another name for Jesus— That’s pretty cool— he has been waiting on a promise that God has apparently given him directly (in verse 26). This comfort or consolation would be

He was led by the Holy Spirit.

The spirits presence is all over this passage. He has the HS “on him” (in verse 25), he is told by the HS that he wouldn’t die before seeing the Messiah!

He was advanced in years.

(this is somewhat debatable, as there really isn’t anything clear about his age, except that in v. 29 he says “You are letting your servant depart in peace...”) The passage really doesn’t give us an “outward” description of the man— but it certainly gives us an “inward” description of the man! He was patient and observant.

This is really the only hint toward anything outward about him! There’s a great reminder in that— God isn’t as interested in your “outward” appearance, as He is with your “inward” appearance. The prophet Samuel once said—(When he first annointed the youngest of Jesse’s sons — David, to be King of Israel!) “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the “HEART”.

Luke 2:27 NIV

27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

[Picture of Simeon and Jesus]

IF we picture him, it would have looked somewhat like this— He probably is older and has maybe a white beard.

Kind of like someone else we think of around Christmas— an old man, with a white beard… Giving compassionately to people. Hmmm.. Do you realize that character is based upon a real man named Nicklaus from the fourth century in the region that is now Turkey— giving compassionately, especially to children and to the poor— he becomes Saint Nicklaus, Santa Claus. Nicklaus gave because he loved Jesus— that’s the real story that is the foundation for that jolly man we see this time of year.

But back to our story— this man is about to hold the baby Jesus, and probably perform a very careful procedure on this child, according to the Law given by Moses to the nation of Israel:

Leviticus 12:2–3 NIV

2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. 3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised.

This man would have probably had the opportunity to perform this dedication on hundreds of babies— Every day, he was waiting, and watching. Lord, is that the one? Lord, is this the one?

I don’t know how this happened, but the HS prompts Simeon when Joseph and Mary arrive— Whoa… Just like little John the Baptist inside his mother Elizabeth’s womb— Simeon leaps into action— and is given the opportunity to hold this baby.

Luke 2:28 NIV

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

He takes this child, maybe raises him up a little— and recites this amazing poem/song that we have recorded for us here:

The Lion King movie has got nothing on Simeon!

II. A Proclamation of God’s Faithfulness (v. 29-32)

Luke 2:29–30 NIV

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

Luke 2:31–32 NIV

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

“Lord I can die a happy man”— You have done what you said you would do. He is allowed to literally “embrace” Jesus— with the understanding of who He is. Immanuel, God with us, God coming alongside us!

Let’s consider that Simeon is a pretty old man— Anna is another prophet named here later in the chapter and she is described as older in years also.

That would mean that if the year right now was somewhere in the O AD range, Simeon may have been alive when the Roman empire marched in and destroyed most of the city of Jerusalem. (that was back in about 63 BC) He was probably a boy--He would have survived the fall of the city, and never forgot it. That was a crushing blow to the Jewish people— but there was alway hope.

Christmas has always represented the reminder that there is hope, because God is indeed faithful to us. Lean on God, and no matter what you are facing, He will never fail you— That manger is the emblem of His Mercy to the world.

A. Salvation is not something we do, it is someone we know. (v.30)

Verse 30 is particularly special: “My eyes have seen your salvation”— that word again, we’ve talked about it before— it’s soterion in Greek—Often translated “deliverance”. But Simeon is a Jewish prophet, most surely likely speaking Hebrew— that Hebrew word most frequently translated to Greek as soterion is “Yeshuah”. I have seen your “y’shuah”— that is the name that Gabriel tells Mary and Joseph to name the baby:

Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

That’s the Greek translation of the word (or Name) “Lesous” from the Hebrew word Y’shuah… Jesus. Simeon doesn’t even need to know what his name is! He already knows it’s Y’shuah— or Jesus— because he will save (deliver) his people from their sins.

Jesus grows up and during his ministry on earth— he never said Follow my teachings— or “my teachings are the way the truth the life” No— he says “Follow me”— “I am the way the truth and the life” No man comes to the Father but by me… He is personally God’s salvation.

This little baby— it’s God’s gift to you and me— Have you received and opened that gift? Have you, in essence, held the baby Jesus in your heart and looked upon God’s salvation? It’s not something to be attained— it’s someone to behold.

B. Jesus is the light in a dark world. (v.32)

To bring revelation to the Gentiles— and glory to your people Israel.

For anyone in the world— anyone. That’s you and me. That’s your neighbor down the street. That’s your boss, or your coworker.

The great commission at the end of Jesus’ time here on earth— he commands us to “Go into all the world— teaching and baptising people in the name of the Father, son, and Holy Spirit.”

I hope you understand that He is the light of the whole world— not just one group of people, or some special section of the world… Remember what that angel said “I bring you good news, of great joy, for all people”.

That’s Simeon’s proclamation of faithfulness.

Let’s continue on here to a bold prediction that Simeon then makes:

III. A Prediction of Sacrifice

Luke 2:33 NIV

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Luke 2:34 NIV

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

Luke 2:35 NIV

35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Can you imagine if you were presenting your son at his baby dedication, and the pastor says, yeah— he’s going to be hated by many people— but he’s going to be loved by a whole bunch too— he’s going to be a person who divides the world— and we might want to just ask for your son back! Thank-you very much...

I think what Simeon is saying here is that there will be a tremendous amount of opinion and judgement of Jesus— people are going to have to choose whether they believe Him or not. That’s exactly how the story plays out. And at the very end— he’s quite alone— all alone on a cross.

A. Jesus will grow up to become a martyr for us.

That’s pretty much still true today— Jesus is certainly hated— and those of us who are trying to follow Him will be despised and criticized and spoken against. But he’s loved by so many in the world also—he might be the most loved person in history! So many world changing disciples who are accomplishing His will throughout the world, because of his love for us.

Just mention the name Jesus in a public way today— you’ll see the room polarize. Two extremes. Hearts revealed. Some of you experience that each holiday when you visit family...

And I want to make a distinction for you— sometimes when I’m talking to people out and about— they get Jesus confused with the church. They have been hurt by the church. “Religion” has failed them. Maybe you’re in that spot today. You’re here because well, it’s Christmas, and you want to try to do the nice thing for your family— I get that. Maybe normally, you’re not in a church on Sunday. That’s ok. I’m here to tell you— and trust me I know first hand— the church is filled with sinful broken people, who either admit it or not— we are certainly going to make mistakes— We will probably get it wrong sometimes— I pray we are humble and teachable enough to NOT give up. And if you’re here today and you don’t go to church regularly— I would ask that you give it a chance again in 2024. Sift through the Religion to get to the Relationship— Like Simeon did.

Jesus isn’t exactly the church— Jesus is Jesus. This isn’t about Religion— it’s about relationship. The most important thing about you, isn’t whether you go to church, or give money, or volunteer, or whatever— that’s all fine if you do— but what’s MOST important about you— is what you do with Jesus.

This little baby who grows to become a man— who died to pay the price for your sin. Because we are fallen creatures— with a heavenly debt— Jesus, who is heavenly (GOD)— becomes like us— To be the light in our dark world, showing us a better way to live because He knows us and he Loves us. He dies like we should have-- Loving us enough to go through it all for you.

Luke 2:35 ESV

35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Verse 35 points us to the first inclination that Jesus is going to suffer, but that Mary herself will also suffer. I think Simeon is predicting the day that Mary will be looking up at the foot of the cross, watching her firstborn son die a criminal’s death. A sword will pierce her heart, so that many hearts will be revealed. That is such a perplexing statement.

There is no greater anguish than for a mother to see her child die. Some of you have experienced that. I can’t imagine what you— and Mary have gone through. But Simeon is saying that this sword going through Mary’s soul happens SO THAT many hearts may be revealed.

B. Jesus’ birth shows us mercy in the manger,but his death shows us mercy on the cross.

Just like those lowly shepherds, and the Magi (Wise Men), and just like Simeon, we can find the baby Jesus in that manger— we look into his face and see God’s mercy and deliverance.

But draped across the manger— if we look very closely— there is a shadow— a shadow of the cross that Jesus will bear for us.

He came to die.

The baby grows up, and fulfills His purpose and mission.

Mary’s broken heart— and the cause of her broken heart forces us to decide if we will accept Jesus and his healing for our broken hearts.

Christmas for Simeon, was him holding in his own arms, that baby Jesus—

It might be that some of you have been waiting a long time for a consolation— could that be here today? For you— If you have never accepted Jesus as your personal Savior— Today is that day of salvation and deliverance for you. He has come to reveal your heart— Maybe you’ve tried everything to get deliverance— salvation— but it’s right here in the manger— and on the cross. His name is Jesus— Yshuah. He is our salvation. Don’t wait another day.

Furthermore, having seen Jesus and knowing him, Simeon is at peace. Everything else in his life pales in comparison. He has met Jesus, and the details of the rest of his life’s resume are irrelevant.

Darrell L. Bock

To end this part of the service, I want to reintroduce perhaps an old tradition that we got away from in the past few years— but it seemed so fitting.

The Hallelujah Chorus is a renowned masterpiece composed by George Frideric Handel as part of this sacred cantata "Messiah." Handel, a German-born composer, created "Messiah" in 1741, and the Hallelujah Chorus serves as the grand finale of the work. The music, which narrates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, has become one of Handel's most celebrated and enduring compositions.

Its popularity transcends classical music circles and has made it a quintessential piece for festive occasions, especially during the Christmas season.

The most iconic tradition associated with the Hallelujah Chorus is the practice of standing during its performance. Legend has it that during the London premiere in 1743, King George II was so moved by the majestic Hallelujah Chorus that he stood, and in turn, the entire audience followed suit. This tradition has persisted, symbolizing the universal reverence and awe inspired by Handel's triumphant musical creation, and pays reverent honor to Jesus Christ the King of Kings.

Although its an older instrument, we are so blessed to have here in our building, and to have a skilled practitioner to play it! Let what Kathy plays here for us be a bright spot in your holiday season— God is here with us— and we are in awe of the fact that we can find Miracle, Majesty, Mystery, and Mercy— yes we find the Messiah in that Manger!

[Hallelujah Chorus]

Reading/Lighting of the Christ Candle- Owen and Meghan Miller

Singing of Silent Night.